Zambia mourns its president

2008-08-20 12:23

Lusaka - Zambia's Parliament suspended its session, sporting events were cancelled, even a doctors' strike was called off as the nation mourned its president.

Zambians wept on the streets of the capital as they received news of President Levy Mwanawasa's death on Tuesday in the French military hospital where he had been treated since having a stroke in June. It was not yet clear when Mwanawasa's body would be flown back to Zambia or when the funeral would be held.

The Zambian flag flew at half staff throughout the country on Wednesday, and radio and television stations replaced normal programs with messages of condolence. Among those aired was a message from the founding president of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda.

"President Mwanawasa was a true servant of the people who served this country with dignity and honour," Kaunda said. "He observed the rule of law and he gallantly fought graft in all its forms. ... We have lost a great leader who had a real vision for leadership and problems that face the country."

Vice-President Rupiah Banda was expected to continue as acting president until an election that must be held within 90 days.

Parliament was suspended indefinitely, and weekend sports matches were cancelled. Junior doctors at the country's main hospital suspended a strike for higher wages that had been going on for more than a week.

Praise for Mwanawasa

Abroad, Mwanawasa, 59, was praised for taking the unusual step of criticizing a fellow African leader. Speaking earlier this year of Zimbabwe and the exodus of millions of its citizens, Mwanawasa said the country "has sunk into such economic difficulties that it may be likened to a sinking Titanic whose passengers are jumping out in a bid to save their lives".

US President George W Bush on Tuesday praised Mwanawasa for speaking out against human rights abuses and threats to democracy "when many others were silent".

At home, Zambians say Mwanawasa will be remembered for his anti-corruption crusade and his economic successes.

But Mwanawasa had lamented that he failed to lift the copper-rich nation's 12 million people out of crushing poverty.

But his economic austerity and market-opening policies drew support from Western donors who in 2005 cancelled nearly all of Zambia's $7.2bn foreign debt.

Mwanawasa tamed inflation, from 21.7% when he became president to an estimated 6.6%. And he re-established agricultural support programs that helped Zambia become an exporter of grain.

Mwanawasa looked beyond Africa, pursuing investment from China, Japan and Malaysia. The Chinese have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in mining Zambian copper and are about to build two multi-facility economic zones - one in Lusaka and the other in the Copperbelt - that are expected to process copper into consumer goods.

'Outstanding politician'

Qin Gang, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on Wednesday expressed his country's sorrow over Mwanawasa's death.

"He was a very outstanding politician who made a great contribution to his country's development and regional peace and development," Qin said. "He attached great importance to Zambia's relations with China and did a lot for the friendly cooperation between the two countries."

Mwanawasa was outspoken about Western criticism of the unconditional aid that China is pouring into Africa.

"You people in the West redeem yourself before you begin attacking China," Mwanawasa told an audience in the United States last year.

- AP